| Reproduction apparatus and system -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Reproduction apparatus and systemRelated Patent Categories: Television Signal Processing For Dynamic Recording Or Reproducing, Processing Of Television Signal For Dynamic Recording Or Reproducing, Having Another Signal, Audio SignalReproduction apparatus and system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070274684, Reproduction apparatus and system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a reproduction apparatus that reproduces video or audio, and particularly to technology for automatically switching the input of a television in a situation where the reproduction apparatus is connected to the television. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Nowadays, the use of televisions is not limited to the reception and viewing of television broadcasts, and they are used for a variety of purposes. For example, by connecting a digital video recorder (DVR) such as a video tape recorder (VTR) and a DVD recorder to a television, it is possible to view contents reproduced by these external apparatuses, and by connecting a home-use game machine, it is possible to enjoy playing games. For this reason, many televisions are equipped with one or more external input terminals, in addition to an antenna terminal for receiving television broadcasts. A user can switch between these input terminals by operating buttons on a remote control or the television body. [0003] Televisions equipped with a number of external input terminals (many of which are high-end televisions) have an advantage of being able to simultaneously connect to a number of external apparatuses such as a DVR and a home-use game machine. On the other hand, there is a drawback in that operations become complicated since it is necessary to manually switch inputs. [0004] Meanwhile, many recent VTRs and DVRs include a tuner, and thus are capable of receiving television broadcasts. When contents reproduction is not carried out in such a VTR and a DVR, it is common that a television broadcast received by the tuner is outputted to the television. [0005] As thus described, it is possible to view a television broadcast even when the input of the television is set to the VTR. However, in the case where the recording of an analog terrestrial television broadcast is carried out, for example, when the input of the television is set to the VTR, it is not possible to view an analog terrestrial television broadcast of another channel. In other words, in order to view a television broadcast of a desired channel, it is easier to use the tuner of the television than using the tuner of the VTR or DVR. In view of this, there exists technology for automatically switching the input of the television by transmitting a command between the television and an external apparatus. [0006] For example, a reproduction device disclosed in Patent document 1 sends an instruction signal to a television when the reproduction device starts reproduction. This instruction signal is a signal for switching the input of the television to an output terminal of the television to which the output terminal of the reproduction device is connected. Furthermore, when entering a power-off state, this reproduction device sends, to the television, a signal to instruct that the input of the television should be switched to the antenna or tuner. This makes it possible to display the reproduced video onto the screen of the television, when the reproduction device starts reproduction, and to display the video received by the antenna or tuner of the television onto the screen of the television, when the reproduction device enters a power-off state. [0007] Note that the AV.link standard (Non-patent document 1) specifies commands to allow the interoperability between a television, a VTR, and the like. According to this standard, the VTR issues a predetermined command to the television, when the VTR starts reproduction or when the VTR displays a menu screen. This makes it possible to cause the television to transit from the stand-by state to a state in which the television can display a screen of the VTR. [0008] Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2000-350131 [0009] Non-patent document 1: CENELECAV.link (EN50157-1, EN50157-2-1, EN50157-2-2, and EN50157-2-3) DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION [0009] Problems that Invention is to Solve [0010] Meanwhile, by connecting a broadcast receiver such as a set-top box (STB) to a television, it is possible to view a cable television broadcast and the like received by the STB. In many such cases, the input of the television is set to the STB in order to view cable television broadcasts. [0011] However, according to the conventional technology disclosed by Patent document 1, there is a problem that, even in the case where a cable television broadcast received by the STB is viewed, the screen of the television switches to that of a television broadcast (analog terrestrial television broadcast) received by the tuner of the television when the reproduction device enters a power-off state. [0012] The present invention has been conceived in view of the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a reproduction apparatus capable of automatically switching the input of a television to an output from a broadcast receiver such as an STB. Means to Solve the Problems [0013] In order to achieve the above object, the reproduction apparatus according to the present invention is a reproduction apparatus that reproduces video or audio data, the apparatus being connected to a first apparatus and a second apparatus, wherein upon receiving a notification command notifying that output of video or audio data is to start, the first apparatus switches its input to an output from an apparatus which has sent the notification command, and upon receiving an instruction command instructing that output of video or audio data should be started, the second apparatus sends the notification command to the first apparatus, and the reproduction apparatus includes: a reproduction unit that reproduces video or audio data recorded in a recording medium; a data output unit that outputs the reproduced video or audio data to the first apparatus; and a command sending unit that sends the instruction command to the second apparatus when the output of the reproduced video or audio data ends. With this structure, when the output of the reproduced video or audio data ends, the instruction command is sent from the reproduction apparatus to the second apparatus, and the notification command is sent from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, and the input of the first apparatus switches to an output from the apparatus that has sent the notification command (here, the second apparatus). In other words, it is possible to automatically switch the input of the first apparatus (e.g., television) to an output from the second apparatus (e.g., STB) when the output of the reproduced video or audio data ends. [0014] Here, the second apparatus may send, to the reproduction apparatus, a connection command indicating that the second apparatus is connected to the first apparatus, and the command sending unit may send the instruction command to the second apparatus only in the case where the connection command has been received. With this structure, it is possible to send the instruction command to the second apparatus only in the case where the second apparatus is connected to the first apparatus. [0015] The reproduction apparatus may further include a screen creation unit that creates a utility screen, wherein the data output unit may output the created utility screen to the first apparatus, and the command sending unit may send the instruction command to the second apparatus when the output of the created utility screen ends. With this structure, it is possible to automatically switch the input of the first apparatus (e.g., television) to an output from the second apparatus (e.g., STB) when the output of the utility screen ends, as in the case where the output of the reproduced video or audio data ends. [0016] The second apparatus may send, to the reproduction apparatus, a manufacturer command, which is a command indicating a manufacturer of the second apparatus, and the command sending unit may send the instruction command to the second apparatus only in the case where the manufacturer indicated by the manufacturer command is a predetermined manufacturer. With this structure, it is possible to send the instruction command to the second apparatus only in the case where the manufacturer of the second apparatus is a predetermined manufacturer. [0017] The reproduction apparatus may further include: a conversion unit that converts a received television broadcast into video or audio data in a predetermined format; and a recording unit that records the video or audio data obtained through the conversion into the recording medium. With this structure, it is possible to apply the present invention also to a recording/reproduction apparatus having recording function. [0018] Note that, it is not only possible to embody the present invention as the reproduction apparatus described above, but also as a reproduction system in which the first apparatus and second apparatus described above are connected to such reproduction apparatus. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION [0019] As described above, according to the reproduction apparatus of the present invention, the input of the first apparatus automatically switches to an output from the second apparatus when the output of the reproduced video or audio ends or when the output of the utility screen ends. This eliminates the necessity to perform a complicated operation of switching the input of the first apparatus, and thus results in improved usability. What is more, since such switching is performed only in the case where the manufacturer of the second apparatus is a predetermined manufacturer, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects that are caused by the difference in manufacturers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Continue reading about Reproduction apparatus and system... Full patent description for Reproduction apparatus and system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Reproduction apparatus and system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Reproduction apparatus and system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method for controlling an optical pick-up for reading data streams for simultaneous reproduction Next Patent Application: System and method of wirelessly triggering portable devices Industry Class: Television signal processing for dynamic recording or reproducing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Reproduction apparatus and system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.82019 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
